Author Peter Wurdock found the inspiration for his latest book, "Erring on the Side of Awesome," while reviewing feature stories he had previously written for the Newberry News. Determined to craft a collection free of negative headlines, he re-edited his favorite newspaper pieces. He authored twenty new features, assembling a forty-story volume celebrating the quiet kindness and resilience of rural life. He often found his subjects by chance during his daily mile-long walks through town with his two greyhounds, as curious locals stopped to chat about the dogs and ended up sharing remarkable stories about neighbors, teachers, and business owners doing extraordinary things.
The resulting profiles showcase a rich cross-section of community character, ranging from a dedicated local teacher who inspired her fifth-grade class to conquer ambitious reading goals, to a resilient cancer survivor in Paradise whose town rallied to rebuild her home after a fire. Another moving account highlights how a young boy's tragic passing led to a lifesaving organ donation, forging a lasting bond between his mother and the recipient. Although Wurdock did not set out with the explicit intent of historical preservation, reader feedback helped him recognize that documenting local figures and places (from historic logging hubs like Pine Stump Junction to regional bear sanctuaries) creates an essential record of a small-town way of life that might otherwise fade away.
Public Radio 90's Kurt Hauswirth spoke with Wurdock about the book:
To complement the text, Wurdock paired his prose with full-color photography, adopting an artistic approach that sets up each narrative and invites readers to immerse themselves in the human element behind each story. Beyond offering an antidote to a bad news cycle, he hopes the collection encourages both residents and visitors to look past the Upper Peninsula's reputation as an outdoor playground and appreciate the people who truly give the region its soul.
For more information, visit the Blue Boundary Books website.
